Sciatic Nerve Pain?

[maslex]

Just wondering who has this problem? My right side has been killing me lately and I'm one of those people who HATE going to the doctor. I'm mean, what can they really do for the pain? Is there a med for this? Surgery? How do you deal with the pain?

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think it depends on what the pain is from. I had/have a herniated disc that gives me sciatic pain. There's not a lot that helps the pain for me. Pain killers will (narcotic) and sometimes ibuprophen and moist heat helps.

 

[Magic Mom]

Just wondering who has this problem? My right side has been killing me lately and I'm one of those people who HATE going to the doctor. I'm mean, what can they really do for the pain? Is there a med for this? Surgery? How do you deal with the pain?

I had a really bad episode last year. Couldn't walk or sit for several days, then extreme pain for months. I went to physical therapy and that helped tremendously. We did traction, massage (for the spasmed muscles) and some minor spinal adjustments. She gave me exercises and we altered the way I did some things, like how I sit, what kind of desk chair I use, how I bend to pick up things, how I stand, walk etc. I also stopped doing the two things I think triggered the pain, running and mowing the lawn.
As far as medicine, I hated the darvocet and the muscle relaxer, so the Dr. switched me to Mobic (anti inflamatory) and Ultram (pain). I only took the ultram a few times, but the Mobic worked wonders. I was even able to go back to horse riding.

 

[JARNJ3]

I have it - went to the doctor to get the diagnosis.

He prescribed physical therapy - it did nothing.

He wanted to give me an epidural - I said - wait a minute - can I try a chiropractor? He said absolutely - gave me a referral.

The chiropractor "cured me" using active-release techniques.

I put "cured" in quotes - as the pain does occasionally come back - it means I need an adjustment - or the active-release treatment.

My nerve was being pinched as it came out of my butt (please don't try to picture this! )

I was sort of skeptical at first because I would always say the pain was in my leg - but it turned out that it did originate from my back.....

For me - there were no meds that could eliminate the pain. I couldn't stand for more than 10 minutes - waiting on lines at WDW was agonizing.........

 

[kimluvswdw]

I also suffer from this and I always go to the chiropractor. I go to one who does not crack anything. I do not like that at all. I am also "cured" with no meds at all and when it flares up I just go back for a time or two.

All the regular doctor did was give me pain meds and anti- inflammatory drugs. Neither of these worked anyway.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I've only had it while pregnant...when baby would sit on that nerve....at the time...they told me to try to change positions..

Dunno if that'd help otherwise...lol...
sorry..I know it's painful

 

[luvmy2sams]

I've had this before, and I can't imagine a worse pain. I spent close to a year trying physical therapy, chiropractors (never again!), steroid injections and 6-packs, muscle relaxants and even high doses of oxycontin (great stuff ). I was also wearing a TENS unit around the clock and alternating ice and heat. It was awful! I ended up consulting with a neurosurgeon and having a laminectomy/dissectomy, which was the answer for me.

I, too, avoid doctors at all cost, and I was scared to death about having back surgery. Pain like that made me feel like I was losing my mind, though. The only thing I'd do differently is to choose the surgical option sooner.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[rparmfamily]

I only have pain when I am trying to get to sleep, or I wake up from the pain.

 

[Serena]

I had this last year, the physical therapy, the traction and exercises, narcotics that did nothing, nothing over the counter worked either. I wore a TENS unit day and night, I know I wasnt supposed to, but I had to sleep or go crazy. I tried cold packs, heat packs, sitting, laying, walking, and a cane.

I finally went to a different doc, mine was/is on a sabbatical and he prescribed a different medicine that killed the pain within a week. amitripteline or something like that.

I still cannot climb stairs very easily and cannot carry anything heavy. Amazingly though I can cut grass, at least for a while. I cannot stand for very long at all though. But, I keep getting better and it feels soo good to be able to move and walk without pain.

 

[mrsstats]

going thru this pain right now. I have tried anti inflamatory, pain meds and just had a massage. Nothing seems to be helping. I have herniated discs in my neck which I dont think are helping the problem. I am thinking my neck step is injections to block the pain. Don't want to have surgery if I can avoid it. Good luck. It's not fun.

 

[HelenePA]

Add me to another who only has it while pregnant! I've been cured now for about 13 days... is there a praise the lord smiley?? OP the only thing that helped me was tylenol with codine. Even then it mostly just took the edge off the awful pain!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Just wondering who has this problem? My right side has been killing me lately and I'm one of those people who HATE going to the doctor. I'm mean, what can they really do for the pain? Is there a med for this? Surgery? How do you deal with the pain?

Count me in

1st - see the doctor and have him/her order an MRI. If you've been dealing with this for more than a couple days then you've managed to injure something and an MRI will help you make your next decision. You do not want to start a treatment or exercise program that may in fact make your injury worse and you won't know that answer without an MRI.

Are you experiencing any numbness, weakness, or loss of feeling anywhere from the starting point of pain down to toes. IF you are then time is very key here!!! IF you lose sensation or experience other symptoms you could be suffering permanent nerve damage by not seeking medical treatment. I'm not trying to scare you but it is a real possibility.

My pain was so bad I couldn't stand upright or extend my toes towards my head without feeling excruciating pain. Depending on how I sat, stood, laid down made the pain worse/better. If I moved a certain way it felt like I got a sudden stab of pain. Come to find out I had a ruptured/herniated disc right arounf my tail bone. My PCP's immediate reaction was here's the name of a surgeon. I asked about alternative methods as I really did not want to have back surgery if at all possible - specifically I asked about chiropractic care. She said IF I wanted to try that route 1st, okay but it is not guaranteed. I will also say that neither is back surgery.

I started seeing a chiropractor with MRI in hand - he knew where my problem was from the word go. I saw him 3x a week at 1st and he recommended me to a physical therapist to piggy back his treatments. Basically he straightened my skelatal alignment while the physical therapist worked on my muscles which were out of alignment as well and wouldn't support the alignments by the chiro. The PT taught me different exercises to do to help me prevent flare ups. By using the 2 different techniques I was able to "cure" my back pain. I put cure in parenthesis because if I over due things I can feel my back issues kicking up again and I call my chiro for an adjustment and I"m good to go. I do go in for a tune up about every 8 weeks to keep me aligned and feeling good.

For temporary relief ice worked best - 15/20 minutes on 15/20 minutes off, repeat. Your pain is being cause by inflammation. Heat won't generally give you much relief but the ice will help reduce the swelling and help with the pain & range of motion you are able to do. An anti-inflammatory med also helps but the key is to stay in front of the pain. For the 1st few days take it regardless of how you feel because if you wait too long your trying to play catch up again and will suffer for it. Most doctors will prescribe some basic type of Aleve - different names out there including Naproxen or a muscle relaxer like flexeril.

Good luck, back pain sucks and there is no "easy" fix.